Aeroplane.



H. LAPRISB.

" AEROPLANE.

APPLIUATION F ILBD AUG. 21, 1911,

1,030,312. Patented June 25,1812.

3 SHEELS' SHEET l.

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" VV/TNESSES. I

4. z fly 5 1" ATTORNEYS.

H. LAPRISB.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2 H. LAPRISE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.21,1911.

Patented June 25, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 l LVIKENTOR.

WITNESSES: Q 6. @au'gj gun rd an entran e orat on.

HENRY LAIPRISE, QF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

annornenis.

' Application filed August 21, 191i.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 645,274.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

:Be it known that I, HENRY IJAPHISE a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Holyoke, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of Which the following is a specification.

lrly' invention'relates to improvements in that class of air craft or air-navigating machines known as aeroplanes, and resides in certain peculiar safety appliances for such machines, which appliances are in the nature of aparachute with confining and re leasing means therefor, and of collapsible air chambers with confining, releasing and elevating means therefor, all as hereinafter set forth. A

The object of my invention is to safe aeroplane in the event it becomes unmanageable and drops, and such object is two-fold in its nature: first, to cause the machine to descend slowly so that it will not strike with undue force, and, second, to prevent the machine from sinking if it comes downin the Water.

A further object is capable of safeguarding an aeroplane in the manner above pointed out, which can be compactly and securely carried so as not to interfere with the progress of the machine under favorable or ordinary conditions, yet are available and can he brought into service or action almost instantly and with little ell'ort, even when both of the appliances are needed.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

A preferred form of embodiment of the invention, whereby I attain these objects, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and I will proceed to describe the invention with reference to said drawings, although it is to be understood that the form, on struction, arrangement, etc, of the parts in various aspects are not material and may be modified without departure from the spirit of the invention;

In the drawings, in which like nun'ierals designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective of an aeroplane equipped with the new appliances, the

driving and other mechanism ordinarily to provide appliances employed with an aeroplane being omitted since it forms no part of the presentinvention; Fig. 2, top of said aeroplane; Fig. 3, an underside plan of said top, a portion of the'same at one end being omitted; Fig. 4, a top plan of the aeroplane bottom, a portion of this at one end also being omitted; Fig. 5, a. front elevation of the aeroplane with both appliances released and in operation or operative positions, and, Fig. 6, a bottom plan of one of the air chambers. Fig. 5 is necessarily on a small scale, while Figs. 3, 4 and 6 are all drawn to the same scale and are larger than corresponding parts in Fig. l, and Fig. 2 is on a still larger scale.

The aeroplane herein shown comprises, with a top 1 and a bottom 2 connected by uprights an elevating plane 4: and a rudder 5, all of which are represented in a more or less conventional manner but in practice may be of usual and well-knownconstruction and arrangement.

The aeroplane top 1 is made hollow or recessed and provided with a lid 01' cover 6 which has one longitudinal edge hinged at 7 to said top adjacent to the rear edge of the same. T 1e. space within the top 1 beneath the cover 6when closed is for a parachute 8 and guy ropes 9 therefor, each of the latter having one end fastened to said parachute and the other end astened to an eye-bolt 10 set within the recessed part of said top. There may be any number of guy-ropes 9, more probably than are shown. A rod 11 is rigidly attached at the ends and at intermediate points to the inside of the cover 6 adjacent to the front or upper edge thereof, accordingly as the cover is closed or open, and some or all of the back ropes 9 pass from their eye-bolts 10 between said rod and said cov r to, the parachut 8. The latter is made of suitable material, is of proper size and possesses sufficient strength to fill ith air and expand, when loose or free, and to prevent, after the manner of any parachute, the aeroplane from descending at a too rapid rate of speed.

The parachute 8 such a nature that they can be packed into the shallow space therein by the cover Patented June 25, 1912.

in the top 1, and confined.- 6 when closed. Two. buttons 12 are pivotally mounted at a cross-section through the I:

and the ropes 9 are of on the top 1 adjacent to the front edge thereof, being so located that when turned cross wise of said top they extend over the iront edge of said cover when closed and secure the same. A rotatable post or swivel 1 1 is mounted on tlr; top 1 between the pivots 13,

and cords 1515 connect said swivel with the front ends of thebuttons 12 when said the associated arrow in Fig. 1, the cords 15 are wound on said swivel and the buttons 12 are swung on their pivots 13 out of engagement 'with the cover 6. Said cover 15 made of thin and light material and being of some considerable area flies open easily and quickly when released, the compressed parachute 8' starting the opening movement and the air which then gets under the cover coinpleting the operation. As soon as the cover 6 opens the parachute 8 flies loose and is caught and filled by the air by the time it straightens the ropes 9, and then supports the aeroplane by means of said ropes, so' that the machine makes an easy descent. The ropes 9 are, ofcourse, held taut by the arachute and with the aeroplane strainmg at them below, at this time, and the cover 6 is retained in an approximately up right position, although with a backward slant, and prevented from vibrating appreciably because of the fact that therear ropes or some of them at least are engaged by therod 11. These engaging ropes may also assist in'opening the cover to its full extent, and in any event afford an auto matic control for the same, so that it cannot assume any position or make any movement that might interfere with the proper working of the parachute and its ropes.

In the bottom 2, between the ends thereof and the central space reserved for the driving andother mechanism and for the operator, are two recesses provided to receive a corresponding number of collapsible chambers or floats 16 when collapsed. and inactive. These floats are of bellows formation with flexible sides which fold very compactly and with holes in their bottoms, but withoutflaps over such holes. One of the v aforesaid holes appears at 17 in Fig. 6.

Short lengths of cords 18 are fastened to to enter beneath the floats to fill them, such air passing through or in reality being sucked in through the holes 17.

Each float 16 is provided with one hr of, and the rods 20 are secured to the mem-' bers 1 and The bars 19 and rods 20 cause the floats to ascend and descend without either endwise or lateral movement. The upward rise of the tops of the floats 16 is limited by means of nuts 21, or equivalent members, which are attached to the guide rods 20 at the proper elevation to stop the guide bars '19- when they arrive with the tops of said floats at the right height.

The floats 16 are securely held in their collapsed condition and within the recesses provided for their reception in the bottom 2 by means of lugs 22-22, staples 23-23 and horizontal bolts 24-24. The lugs 22 extend inwardly over the outer ends of the floats 16 from the outer ends of the bottom 2, andthe staples 23 are set in the bottom 2.adjacent to the inner-endsof said floats. The bolts 2'1 extend longitudinally of the floats 16 on the top, and are arranged to slide in bearings 25-25, formed by the central portions of the innerbars 19, and in brackets 26-26 fastened to said floats, adjacent to their inner ends. The outer end of each bolt 24 is provided with a head 27 to which a cord 28 is attached. In the center of the top .of each float 16 is an eye-bolt 29 through which thecord 28 from the adjacent locking bolt 2 1 passes. The length of each bolt 24 is less than the distance between the associated eye-bolt 29 and the inner end of the float 16 which carries those parts, so that at the ends opposite those that are fastened to the bolt heads 27. The winding-drum 31 is fast on. a crank-shaft 32 which is journaled in two bearing brackets 33 secured to the underside of the top 1. The left-hand cord 28 passes to the top of the windingdrum 31 and the right-handcord to thbbottom of said drum, hence when the latter is rotated in the direction of the associated arrow in Fig. 5 said cords are wound on the drum. It is inthis mannet that-the bolts 24: are drawn out of engagementwith the staples 23 and into contact with the eye-bolts 29, and the floats 16 elevated, saidfloats beall I the top ing elevated by the upwardly-running cords held by the bolt heads 27 which are too large to pass through said eyebolts. When the floats start to rise their top parts tilt .upwardly at the inner ends to enable the floats to clear the lugs 22. After clearing the aforesaid lugsthe floats resume and maintain their horizontal positions. The wind ing-drum 31 is shorter than the space between the brackets The front terminal of the crank-shaft isin such form that it serves as a handle 31l- "lhese parts and members are so operated that, when, the crankshaft is drawn forward until the front end of the winding-drum contacts with the front bracket 33, the handle 24 can be revolved freely, but, when said shaft is forced back until the rear end of said drum contacts with the rear bracket 33, said handle encounters the top 1 and is thus prevented from rotating, convenient locking means for the floats when elevated and expanded and,

for the elevating mechanism being thus afforded. As soon as the bottoms of the floats 16 clear the hottoin'fl, air enters through the openings 17 and fills said floats, so that they are made capable of sustaining the weight of the aeroplane in the water or on the same.

The complete operation of the safety appliances is follows, assuming that the parachute 8 and the ropes 9 are packed in l with the cover (3 closed and fastened, and that the floats it; are collapsed and locked down by means of the bolts 26b and associated fastening members. At the instant the operator loses control of the machine and the latter starts to drop, the operator turns the swivel let which is in easy reach of his positiomin the proper direction and winds the cords 15 thereon until the buttons 12 are actuated out of engaging relation with the cover 6, when said cover flies open and the parachute soars aloft as far as the ropes 9 permit, fills with air and becomes a supporting medium for the aeroplane, easing it to theground or on to the water in water instead of land be underneath. lo the latter case, or, in other Words, when the operator finds he is descending onto the water, he immediately draws out. the crank-shaft 32 :tar enough "for the hondle 34 to clear the top 1, (see Fig. 3), and re volves said shaft to wind up the cords 28. The cords thus being wound onto the winding-drum Ell first slide the bolts 3st toward the eye'bolts 2t) and into contact therewith, thus unlocking the floats 1c, and then elevate said floats until they are fully expanded. The crank-shaft and the winding-drum. the cords 23, and the floats l6 are now secured by pushing said shat't rcarwardly in the brackets 33 and permitting the handle tl-l to come to rest against the top 1. The floats have meanwhile tilled with air so that they and unwind thecords 28.

are ready to support the aeroplane on the water by the time theformer strikes the latter. The safety appliances now have the appearance represented in Fig. 5. The floats 16 are able to sustain on the water the weight of the aeroplane either with or without the assistance of the expanded para-y chute 8.

To replace the parachute 8,draw it down,

fold and pack it away with the ropes 9 in the space provided for the same, and close the cover 6. Turn. the swivel L1 in the direction opposite to that indicated by the associated arrow, in Fig. 1, to loosen the cords 1!), and turn the buttons 12, which are positioned approximately in line with each other and with their free ends pointingtoward the ends of the top '1, so as to locate said free ends over the adjacent edge of the cover 6. Then rotate the swivel in the other direction sufficiently to take up whatever slack there may be in the cords 15. The parts thus disposed appear as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. 1

To replace the floats, free the crankshaft The floats 16 at once settle onto the bottom 2, and the air is expelled from them in any suitable mannor, after which the outer ends of the now collapsed floats are inserted beneath the lugs 20, and the bolts 2% are actuated into ongagement with the staples 23. Finally the slack if any in the cords 28 is taken up and the crank-shaft secured. In Figs. 1 and t the parts appear as just described.

The rods 20 not only guide the floats 16in their upward and downward movements, but also assist in keeping them in p ace especially when elevated, all through the me diumof the guide bars 19, however, said bars must not fit said rods so closely that the slight tilting movement necessary in drawing said floats out of engagement with the lugs 22 and returning them to such engagement will be prevented.

It is plainly to be seen that the actions of the safety appliances are largely automatic after said appliances have been released.

In place of the eye-bolts 29 and 30, there may bet-employed any usual and suitable type of antifriclion guides for the cords 2S.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An aeroplane provided. with storage places for collapsed floats, and collapsible floats having bottom openings, said floats being" adapted to be packed in the spaces provided therefor and to he released from s-zuch spaces and expanded and filled with air from below.

2. A'n aeroplane provided with a storage place for a collapsible parachute and with storage placesfor collapsed floats, a para chute adapted to be packed in the space pro vided therefor and to be released therefrom lid ' jacent to one longitudinal edge of the latter,

and further provided adjacent to the other longitudinal edge with fastening means for the correspondinglongitudinal edge of such cover, of a parachute attached to said top and adapted to be packed into the recess under said cover, and manually-operated means to unfasten said cover to release said parachute.

4. The combination with a recessed aeroplane top, such top being provided over the recess therein with a cover and further provided with pivotally mounted members capable of locking and releasing said cover,

of a parachute and'flexible means for attaching said parachute to said top, said parachute and said flexible means bemig adapted to be packed into the recess under said cover, a rotatable member mounted on said top, and flexible members connecting said pivotally mounted members with said rotatable member, the arrangement being such that said cover may be unfastened and released upon turning said rotatable member.

5. The combination with a rccessed aeroplane top, such top being provided over the recess therein with a cover, of means to iii! fastenand unfasten said cover, flexible members secured to 'saidtop and certain of such members being slidingly connected with said cover, and a parachute secured to said flexible members, suchflexible members and parachute being'adapted to be packed into the recess under said cover.

'6. The combination, in an aeroplane, with the bottom of the machine, of collapsible floats normally carried thereon, said floats having air-receiving openings in their undersides, and means to expand said floats in an upward direction.

7. The combination, in an aeroplane, with the bottom of "the machine, of floats normally carried by said bottom, said floats having air-receiving openings in their undersides, means to elevate and expand said floats, and means to limit the upward rise of the bottoms of said floats.

8. The combination, in an aeroplane, with the bottom of the machine, and guide rods rising from said bottom, of collapsible floats normally carried by said bottom and provided with guide bars engaging said rods, said floats having air-receiving openings in tlfeir undersid'es, and means to elevate and expand said floats.

fi llhe combination, in an aeroplane, with the bottom of the machine, of collapsible v floats normally carried by said bottom, means to fasten said floats to said vbottom,

and means to release said floats and to ele-' '11. The combination, in an aeroplane,

with the bottom of the machine, of floats normally carried by said bottom, means to elevate said floats clear of said bottom and. expand them, and means to limit the upward rise of thetops of said floats.

12. The combination, in an aeroplane, with the top and bottom'of the machine, and a winding-drum mounted under said top, of collapsible floats normally carried by 1 said bottom but capable of being raised clear of the same, locking and releasing.

means for said floats, and flexible members attached to said winding-drum and to said locking and releasing means, whereby said floats are released and elevated and expanded when said drum is rotated in the proper direction.

13. The combination, in an aeroplane, with the top and bottom of the machine,

' guide members forflexible members depending from said top, a winding-drum mounted under said top, and staples set in said bottom, of collapsible floats normally carried by said bottom, said floats also being provided with guide members for flexible members, locking bolts slidingly mounted on said floats between said last-mcntioned guide members and said staples and in operative relation to the latter, said locking bolts having heads at their outer ends, which heads are too large to pass through the adjacent guide members, and flexible members extending from said locking bolts through both sets of guide members therefor to said wimling-drinn. I

ld Thc combination, in an aeroplane, with the top and bottom of the machine,

guide rods between said top and-bottom, guide members for flexible members'dep'ending from said top, a 1ongitudin'ally-movablc crank-shaft. journaled under said topvand provided with a winding-drum, said crank shaft being held against rotation vheniin its rearward position and release (fitter rotation when in its forward position, and staples set 111 said bottom, of collapsible floats'noranally carried by said bottom, said floats being provided with guide bars in engagement with said guide rods, and further provided withguide members for flexible memhers, lockihg'bolts slidingly mounted on said floats between said lasbmentioned guide members and said staples and in operative relation to the latter, said locking bolts having heads at their outer ends, which heads nm t00 large to pass through the adjacent gmde members, andflexlblp members extending from said locking bolts through both sets of gulde members to smd mndmgdrum.

- HENRY LAPRISE. Witnesses F. A. CUTTER, A. C. FAIRBANKS. 

